The Debt Bride

Amelia stood in the big living room of her house. Her hands were tight fists, and her brown eyes were full of tears and swollen, With a running nose, Her long black hair fell over her shoulder looking very rumpled, She looked at her father, her heart beating fast, and her lips shaking with words coming out from the depth of her chest saying… “You cannot force me to marry someone I don't even know anything about," she cried with tears running down her chin “I am not an object! I have feelings and I have my dreams and aspirations, Papa! I want to choose my own man and my own life!” Mr. Tate, her father, stood tall. He always wore expensive suits and looked serious. With a glass of whiskey in his right hand and a stick of cigarette in his left hand, His grey eyes were cold. He said to her, Amelie! “This marriage is important, Amelia, he called her the second time ” in a strong voice he said. “Your marriage to Alexander will help our family a great deal. Your mother and I have already spoken and have decided. The wedding will happen and nothing or no one can do anything about it “ Amelia shook her head in disappointment and said. “I don’t care about the family! What about my happiness and what matters to me?” Mr. Tate sighed and rubbed his forehead walking back and forth and he said. “You are being selfish, Amelia. This is not just about you. This is about the entire family” Tears ran down Amelia’s face, but she wiped them away with a soft piece of white cloth. Amelia had always listened to and obeyed her parents. But not this time around. “I will not do it,” she whispered. Looking directly into her father's eyes. Her father’s face turned hard. And with anger and a loud voice, he said to her “Pack your things. You are meeting your fiancé tomorrow whether you like it or not ”. Tomorrow? Amelia’s heart pounded as she ran back to her room crying, she got to the door kicked open the door, ran inside and banged the door behind her, her mother tried to enter the room but Amelia had already locked the door in anger, she tried to speak with her from outside the room trying to make Amelie see reason with her father and the need for the marriage. She said “Don't be selfish my daughter, this is for all of us in the family, try and consider” Amilia responded in anger saying "Is there no way out? After several attempts by her mum to open the door but she refused, Amelia cried a river and slept off in anger and tears. The next morning Amelia's Dad went to her room and gently in a soft voice whispered to her Good morning Amelia, just like he does every morning, Amelia responded to him gently, Amelia thought her parents must have given it a second thought throughout the night and reconsider marrying her off against her wish. Amelia her dad called, come and accompany me to the farm, he asked gently as he does always, she came out from her room looking tired and stressed because of how she cried until she slept off the previous night, do not worry my child everything will be alright, come into the car let's go, says her dad, and she entered and sat in the back seat of her father’s black car. And off they moved, She stared out of the window, but she was not looking at the streets. She was thinking about her future—a future she did not choose. All of a sudden, The car stopped in front of a huge house, painted in white and Gold colour, with lights all over looking very Clean and luxurious, It was two times bigger than her home, made of grey stone. The windows were tall, the garden was perfect and a very beautiful water fountain in the centre of the house, A black corrugated metal gate stood behind them, keeping the world out. Her father stepped out of the car first. “ Amelia steps out of the car,” he said. She hesitated, and asked, where is this place? This is not the farm, He did not respond, and Amelia then followed him. They both walked towards A man standing at the entrance of the house. He was tall with wide shoulders. He wore a black suit, and his blue eyes looked sharp and serious. His short brown hair was neat, and his face was strong. “This is your fiancé, Alexander Grayson,” Mr. Tate said Alexander stretched out his hand, Hello Amelia, she looked at him from head to toe in anger but did not take it. “So, this is the beautiful girl I have to marry?” Alexander asked pulling back his hand. His deep voice was calm, but there was something cold about it. Amelia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes saying. “If you think I will be a quiet little obedient wife, you are wrong.” Her father’s face tightened and he said angrily. “Enough, Amelia stop this nonsense, You two must learn to get along as soon as possible” Alexander smiled mischievously, but it was not a kind smile. “She will listen when the time comes. He said with so much arrogance and audacity. Amelia’s face burned down with tears and anger. He was so full of himself. But what scared her more was the way he spoke—like he knew something she didn’t. Mr Tate, went back to his car and entered, Dad, are you leaving me behind?, he replied, the earlier you accept your faith the better for you and all of us. He started the car and moved, Amila shouted running after the car “ Dad! You can't go without me “ wait,! Wait for me she shouted, but Mr Tate moved his car without minding. And the gate closed behind him by the gate man leaving her and her supposed suitor.